MauiTime Best of Maui 2016: Best County Blunder on Maui: Homeless at Kanaha

BEST COUNTY BLUNDER

Homeless at Kanaha

“In the long-run, providing supportive housing actually saves more money for the taxpayer – roughly 50 percent–when compared to the cost for the homeless to remain on the streets where they use our public services–our police, fire, emergency rooms and courtrooms–at a very high frequency,” Maui County Mayor Alan Arakawa said in his State of the County Address back in March. “Also, the housing units we are recommending will make it safer for our non-profit and social service workers to visit and provide services to these individuals. Often times we hear that workers have to deal with dogs, darkly lit camps, drug use and other obstacles to an already challenging situation.” Yep, yep and yep. Plans, programs and initiatives abound when talking about how the County of Maui is addressing its homeless population (about 1,145 people, according to a recent report). And yet, Kanaha Beach Park remains a large homeless encampment. This isn’t a blunder, it’s a disaster. (AP)